Can someone tell me if one goes for a regular Subpart H CFI can you utilize a light sport aircraft for the checkride. I realize that a complex aircraft has to be also available for takeoffs, landing, etc. I have heard that some folks have used two ait rcraft for the cfi practical with the FAA, but can one of those aircraft be a SLSA?

Expect a few minor complications. The DPE is likely to have never flown in one before and might not understand the differences. My examiner kept referring to it as "experimental". Just be sure to have all the logbooks in order, know the required instruments for VFR flight, and if you don't have a VOR receiver, be able to "tune" a VOR on the GPS and track inbound and outbound on a radial.

Another issue where you might want to take some extra prep time is the POH. The examiner will expect detailed takeoff and landing charts in the POH and they probably won't be there. Be able to come up with takeoff roll distance for a given density altitude using formulas instead of a POH chart.

Also make sure you both know and can document the spin recovery technique if it differs from the Airplane Flying Handbook. We had quite a discussion over that...

The local DPE here who does CFI checkrides weighs 300 pounds. No way you're going to get him in an LSA. If wt/bal isn't an issue, there should be no reason not to use an LSA for a CFI checkride (especially if that's what you're planning to instruct in). As for the complex, that's a requirement for the Commercial (which is a prerequisite for the Subpart H CFI), but as far as I know is not required for the CFI checkride itself, as long as you have the commercial and sufficient complex time logged.

BTW, the CFI checkride is not about flying. It's about sitting on your hands and talking the DPE through a lesson, including correcting his or her "dumb student" mistakes without taking control of the aircraft. It's really a fun checkride for those who like to teach!

3. Be capable of performing all appropriate TASKS for the flight instructor rating sought and have no operating limitations, which prohibit the performance of those TASKS. A complex airplane must be furnished for the performance of takeoff and landing maneuvers, and appropriate emergency procedures. A complex landplane is one having a retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable propeller. A complex seaplane is one having flaps, floats, and a controllable propeller. Airplanes that are equipped with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC) system are considered to have a controllable propeller.

Thanks for looking that up, Tom. I knew that a complex was required for the Commercial, but not for the CFI. Maybe the regs were changed over the past several decades (or maybe I'm just getting senile enough to have forgotten ...)

drseti wrote:Thanks for looking that up, Tom. I knew that a complex was required for the Commercial, but not for the CFI. Maybe the regs were changed over the past several decades (or maybe I'm just getting senile enough to have forgotten ...)

It's been like that since the late 70's, early 80's at least IIRC. I know for sure it was that way around 1990 when I got my CFI. I did part of my ride in my dad's Taylorcraft, and part in a Saratoga.